Dr. Wuyi Wang, director of Research and Development at GIA, holds a seminar on synthetic diamond detection

Diamond and coloured gemstone brooch by Glamour Fine Jewelry

Professional buyers at the 35th edition of the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair

The September HK Fair celebrates its 35th anniversary this year

Bespoke Paraiba tourmaline necklace by Hatta New World Co Ltd

Thousands of buyers line up for registration at the show’s opening at the AsiaWorld-Expo

Diamond bangle by Universal Jewellery Co Ltd

For 35 years, the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair has served as an effective business-to-business platform for vendors and professional buyers in the international jewellery and gemstone sector. The 2017 edition further cements the show’s illustrious reputation with an impressive display of products, alongside relevant seminars and other initiatives.

By Bernardette Sto. Domingo

For 35 years, the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair has served as an effective business-to-business platform for vendors and professional buyers in the international jewellery and gemstone sector. The 2017 edition further cements the show’s illustrious reputation with an impressive display of products, alongside relevant seminars and other initiatives.

The industry’s most influential jewellery manufacturers, designers and gemstone experts gathered at the 35th edition of the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair, held from September 13 to 19 in two world-class venues.

Organised by UBM Asia Ltd, the show is considered one of the most important events on the global jewellery trade calendar. It celebrated its 35th anniversary this year with a number of special events and programmes. It likewise offered outstanding attractions and networking opportunities designed to enhance face-to-face interactions between manufacturers, retail buyers, industry influencers and trade professionals, among others.

More than 3,690 exhibitors from 56 countries and regions displayed their latest collections in more than 135,000 square metres of exhibition space. Gemstone dealers, diamond suppliers and pearl traders showcased their goods at the AsiaWorld-Expo from September 13 to 17 while jewellery manufacturers highlighted their latest collections at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from September 15 to 19.

Dazzling finds

Diamonds were among the highly sought-after products at the September Hong Kong Fair.

Interviewed on the second day of the show, major Indian diamond producer Sheetal Manufacturing Co Pvt Ltd said it relied on its core products to attract target buyers.

Chirag Kakadia of Sheetal said the company displayed market-specific products such as 30 and 50 pointers, and 1-carat stones, to cater to the Chinese market. Clients from the US, Europe and the Middle East also looked for 1-carat diamonds, revealed Kakadia.

The company also showcased a newly launched mobile application aimed at making online diamond purchases more efficient. Buyers at the show were able to try the app to browse through Sheetal’s extensive range of products.

Top-grade coloured gemstones were likewise highly preferred at the show. Benjamin Hackman of Intercolor USA said buyers‘ appetite for top-quality blue sapphires remain strong, with clients from major markets continuously placing orders at the show.

An enchanting selection of garnets in bright to deep purple hues, meanwhile, took centre stage at the booth of Vivid Gems (HK). According to Milind Kala, director of Vivid Gems, the stone was discovered in Mozambique in 2016 and has since been capturing the attention of professional buyers.

Market response has been encouraging, he added, with the US market showing the most interest. Vivid Gems also offered an expansive range of alexandrites, sapphires and Burmese spinels, among others.

Inspired designs

At the HKCEC, captivating creations with coloured gemstones and diamonds made waves among professional buyers. Brisk business was also recorded at the Packaging, Tools & Equipment Pavilion where suppliers fielded enquiries from jewellery manufacturers seeking the latest technology for their production needs.

Pranda Group of Thailand said the Gem Collection, born from Pranda’s partnership with French jeweller Gringoire, charmed buyers at the fair.

According to Mina El Hadraoui, brand and managing director at Gringoire, the collection took inspiration from the highly inventive Art Deco era. Pieces from the collection, adorned with coloured gemstones in unique and innovative cuts, immortalise the sophisticated Parisian lifestyle. The collection was positively received, and buyers have started placing orders in time for Christmas, she added.

Gemmologist Victor Tuzlukov of Pranda Group said he cut the stones specifically in a way that will inject three human components into the gems: Soul, spirit and body. “Each piece speaks to the wearer as it helps her express her personality,” noted Tuzlukov.

The Gem Collection features two main lines, King and Rose. The King line draws inspiration from the majestic lion’s head, artistically reinterpreted into captivating facets in citrines. The Rose line, meanwhile, highlights the creative combination of geometric lines and shapes that come together to form a blooming rose.

The company showcased Vietnam’s iconic symbols – bamboo and rice – in its Lucky Log and Essence of Nature Collections respectively. The company targeted buyers from the US and Europe, particularly France, Denmark and Germany.

Magerit of Spain, meanwhile, displayed its exceptional design and manufacturing prowess with a fine jewellery collection that pays homage to the origin of life and the grandeur of nature.

Antonio Calvo Garcia, commercial director of Magerit, said the Gea Collection features organic pieces that evoke blossoming flowers and rustling leaves, reimagined through the creative use of diamonds, topaz stones, sapphires and amethysts. At the crux of each piece is a woman, being reborn or exhibiting extraordinary charm and strength, according to Garcia. The collection’s main piece is the Gea necklace in 18-karat gold, adorned with white and green diamonds, sapphires, black enamel and two tanzanite centre gems.

“The Gea Collection has been positively received by the market and we’ve seen a lot of interest particularly from China,” noted Garcia.

Magerit is also displaying edgier pieces in gold and silver from the Shadow Collection, a reinvention of the company’s iconic Puma Collection.

According to the trade show organiser, the September Fair, which consistently showcases refined designs, thrilling innovations and an unmatched array of products, continues to have the resounding support of key industry players worldwide, with exhibitors acknowledging that the Fair serves as a powerful platform to grow their businesses.Buyers view the B2B show as a global marketplace where they can find just about anything, from finished jewellery and polished gemstones, to designs and materials. The wealth of concurrent special events, seminars, receptions and jewellery parades makes the fair an ideal platform to catch up on what’s trending, gain industry insights and network with other industry players.